Summer Glory Barbecue Sauce

By EdieK

Ingredients

• 1 28oz/796 ml tin crushed tomatoes
• 11/4 cups (310ml) cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup (125ml) fancy molasses
• 1/2 cup (125ml) packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (125ml) maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 cup (125ml) apple butter, apricot or peach jam, or other preserve
• 1 medium onion coarsely grated or pureed
• 3 Tbsp (45ml) paprika
• 1 Tbsp (15ml) garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp (15ml) ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp (15ml) ground coriander
• 1 Tbsp (15ml) mustard powder
• 1 Tbsp (15ml) celery salt
• 1 Tbsp (15ml) salt
• 1 Tbsp (15ml) black pepper
• cayenne powder, chili flakes or minced hot pepper to your taste (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Makes about 5 cups (1250 mL)

Combine all ingredients in a saucepot and bring up to a simmer, uncovered, over medium heat. Simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender.

For a fantastic BBQ spice rub, combine all of the spices listed batched up by 4 times and store this in an airtight container. This rub can be sprinkled onto ribs, chicken or mixed into ground meat for burgers.

The addition of a jam or preserve really gives this sauce character. Do feel free to customize it according to your tastes and the time of year: apples for late summer, peaches for mid-summer, even rhubarb jam for early summer.